Breadcrumb

Robert 'Bob' Elix AM

Coach

Robert ‘Bob’ Elix AM arrived in Darwin in June 1969 after breaking his leg in his last game for Port Adelaide on Anzac Day. In 1970/71, fit to take to the field once again, Bob elected to play as Captain Coach for Darwin Buffaloes, leading the Club to its fourth consecutive Premiership. Shortly afterwards, a knee injury forced Bob to retire from playing football.

Turning to coaching, Bob led Waratahs Football Club to two successful Umpire’s Carnivals and third on the ladder in 1971/72 and 1972/73. In 1976/77, he coached Waratahs from wooden-spooners to Premiers in just one season, the grand final win in front of Her Majesty the Queen.

Moving to Nightcliff Tigers, Bob guided them to the preliminary final in 1977/78 and a fourth Umpire's Carnival. The next season the Tigers won the Minor Premiership, but lost to St Mary’s in the grand final.

In 1979, Bob was appointed as the first coach of the Northern Territory State team and coach of the 1979 City of Darwin All Stars team. Bob returned to coach the Tigers in 1980/81 and during this time also served as President of the Club.

Coaching the University Rats from 1992 to 1998, Bob led the team to a remarkable four premierships. In 1998/99 Bob was elected to the Northern Territory Football League Board and was the AFL Northern Territory President from 2000/01 until 2011/12.

Bob was presented with an Australian Sports Medal in 2000, awarded the prestigious AFL Jack Titus Award in 2009 and AFLNT Life Membership in 2010. Bob remained active in the world outside football, contributing to him receiving the 2014 AM Queens Birthday Honours.

Not only a superb player and gifted coach, Bob was a formidable administrator, widely respected for his selfless commitment to football in the Territory and his contribution will be immortalised as we welcome Robert ‘Bob’ Elix AM into the AFLNT Hall of Fame.